Bachelor of Arts in Business AdministrationGeneral Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree program (BABA-GBA) combines core business courses with area of specialization courses offered by other UF departments. Students can choose an area of specialization from over 70 disciplines, including foreign languages, mass communications, travel and tourism, Pre-Law, and Pre-Health.

The general studies major is ideal for students who want a strong foundation in business while still pursuing passions beyond business. The universal tracking, business core, and business elective requirements give students over 40 hours of business courses. Through the area of specialization courses students have the flexibility to develop in-depth knowledge of a complimentary field of interest.

The general studies major is well-suited for students who intend to pursue graduate school following their undergraduate education. Students interested in law, medicine, or other non-business fields often major in general studies so they can take the courses necessary to best prepare them for graduate school in a field other than business.

General Studies Curriculum

Students pursuing a BABA-GBA must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. For information about the required coursework please visit UF's General Studies Major page or schedule an appointment with one of our general studies major Academic Advisors and Career Coaches.

Areas of Specialization in General Studies

Flexibility is the hallmark of the general studies major. With over 70 different disciplines to choose from, there are numerous fields students can pursue. The most popular areas of specialization are:

Pre-Law

Pre-Health

Foreign Languages

Mass Communication

Sport Management

Travel and Tourism Management

General studies majors (BABA-GBA) must declare an area of specialization by the first semester of the sophomore year or during the first semester as a junior transfer student (see a Heavener School of Business advisor in 333 Heavener Hall, or send us your request via email). You should allow for at least three semesters (excluding summer terms) to complete your area of specialization, as course registration is subject to availability. You should also refer to course descriptions to verify you have completed all prerequisites required for area of specialization courses.

The following is a list of approved areas of specialization for the general studies major. Students are asked to adhere to the approved list of courses for each area of specialization. Each area is listed by interest category. Click on an interest category for a detailed list of areas of specialization. To view a detailed study program, click on the area of specialization that interests you.

Areas of Specialization Interest Categories

The * means the Area of Specialization is listed in multiple Interest Categories

Useful Minors and Restricted Business Electives

General studies majors are encouraged to enhance their education by pursuing a minor and choosing targeted business electives. In selecting minors and electives, students should consider their passions and professional aspirations. As students already pursuing areas of specialization in non-business fields, general studies majors are encouraged to explore business focused minors and are required to complete 11-12 hours of restricted business electives. It is strongly advised that you meet with one of our Academic Advisors and Career Coaches for more specific suggestions to help you achieve your career goals. The following minors and electives are popular selections for students majoring in general studies:

Minors

Accounting

Communication Studies

Entrepreneurship

Foreign Languages

Information Systems

International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Leadership

Mass Communication

Real Estate

For information about the required courses for these and other UF minors, consult the undergraduate catalog’s undergraduate minors page.

Internships and Career Outlook

To pinpoint one career path for such a diverse major is impossible. General studies majors pursue careers in a variety of industries, including law, banking, healthcare, non-profits, communications, government, public service, entertainment, and more. As business majors, general studies majors are eligible to apply for internships and full-time positions that are normally restricted to business students. Students interested in learning more about internship or full-time opportunities available to general studies majors should utilize the following resources:

Combined Degrees

General studies majors interested in furthering their business knowledge may pursue a Master of International Business (MIB) or the Master of Science in Information Systems (MS-ISOM) through the combined degree programs. Combined degree students may apply select master’s courses toward their bachelor’s degree. Students who complete the combined degree enhance their marketability and develop valuable industry relationships.

For more information, please schedule an appointment with a School of Business Academic Advisor and Career Coach and consult the MIB or the MS-ISOM program website.

Involvement and Leadership in General Studies

The Warrington College of Business Administration provides numerous opportunities for involvement and leadership. By participating in student organizations, students gain valuable leadership skills and network with faculty, alumni, and recruiters. For more information about Warrington student organizations, please visit our Business Student Organization page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an area of specialization?

An area of specialization is a degree requirement for Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - General Studies (BA-GBA) majors only. Instead of taking the 12-16 hours of business major courses that economics, finance, information systems, management or marketing majors do, general studies majors take 12 hours of related courses from other UF colleges. General studies majors have over 70 areas of specialization to choose from, including pre-health, pre-law, international business, chemistry, travel and tourism, sports management, and criminology.

Why should I choose to major in General Studies?

The general studies major, which requires an outside area of specialization, is ideal for students who want a business background, but who also want to explore other interests. For example, students interested in going to med school can ensure that they've completed the requisite coursework through the pre-health area of specialization. Here are some other examples: a pre-law student can pursue an area of specialization in pre-law to help prepare for law school, or if you are pursuing a dual degree in Business and Spanish you can efficiently use your Spanish major courses to meet the Spanish area of specialization requirements for your general studies business degree.

The general studies major is a Bachelor of Arts degree and the other business majors are Bachelor of Science degrees. Is that important?

No. There is no significant difference between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree One degree will not look better than the other on your resume.

When do I have to declare my area of specialization?

You must declare your area of specialization by the end of your third semester at UF. If you do not declare your area of specialization by that time, the School of Business will place a registration hold on your record. Once you declare your area of specialization, an advisor will remove your hold.

Can I choose substitute courses for my area of specialization?

Yes, but you must submit a course substitution request form to do so. The form requires the written consent of the department who offers the area of specialization, as well as approval from the School of Business. Internship and research credit are not acceptable substitutions. Generally, a course can be substituted if it can be used to satisfy a minor in that discipline, if it is a 3000-4000 level course, and if the course has a standardized format (i.e. set class periods, required papers or exams, etc.)

Can I also minor in my area of specialization?

Yes, students often choose to take an extra course or two to earn a minor in their area of specialization.